WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Connecticut College men's water polo team dropped its opening CWPA matches at Washington & Jefferson on Saturday. The Camels were set back by Gannon, 20-9, and Mercyhurst by an 18-12 score.

Gannon 20, Connecticut College 9

Connecticut College scored first courtesy of senior Arturo Freitas (Weston, Fla.), but the lead was short lived, as Gannon answered back and ended the opening quarter on a 6-1 run. The Knights then broke the game open by outscoring the Camels, 8-1, in the second quarter en route to earning a double-digit win.

The Camels got strong efforts from sophomore Lucas Verrilli (Evanston, Ill.) and Freitas in the setback. Both student-athletes registered a hat trick.

Mercyhurst 18, Connecticut College 12

Mercyhurst netted the opening three goals and led from wire-to-wire. Sophomore Mike Gertsik (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and freshman Sam Guy (Portland, Ore.) each scored to bring the Camels within one, but that was as close as they would come the rest of the way. The Lakers outscored their opponent by a 5-1 margin in the second quarter to give themselves more than enough insurance to come away with the win.

Guy finished with a team-high four points on two goals and two assists, while Freitas notched his second hat trick of the day. Senior Tim Beloborodov (Moscow, Russia), who was playing out of position, made a valiant effort between the posts by making eight saves.

Connecticut College (1-5, CWPA 0-2) wraps up weekend play when it faces Monmouth tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.